THE WORST DAY

Imagine you are boarding a flight back home, you get on the plane, sit and get comfortable. After 45 minutes they start bringing drinks and snacks and the movie starts. Imagine that as you are starting to watch the movie, all of a sudden the plane feels like its coming down really fast, the lights of the plane go off and the oxygen masks come down…Now imagine that everyones oxygen masks come down except for the masks on yours and few other rows and its getting harder and harder to breathe, can you imagine this scene when you are stuck inside a plane, flying at God knows how many miles up in the sky and there is nothing you can do about it? Well, that is exactly what happened to me last night.

As I was taking my second flight of the day back to Amsterdam and just as I was going to start watching the flight movie, the plane started to come down really fast, I didn’t know what was going on so I tried to keep calm and hold on to my seat but that was until the lights went off all of a sudden and the oxygen masks came out, unfortunately the masks of my row didn’t come out, so then is where I started to get very scared and anxious.

I think I must have been in a state of shock for around a minute because as I saw everyone getting their masks on, I couldn’t put mine on since it didn’t come out and the crew started shouting and running up and down the hall: SHARE THE MASKS WITH THE PEOPLE THAT DONT HAVE ONE PLEASE, THEY WONT BE ABLE TO BREATHE! But nobody was sharing their masks with me and the 2 guys next to me.We started trying to force open the oxygen mask compartment with a credit card but It wasnt working and the air was getting more and more difficult to breathe, then is where I started to panic.

Finally the guy seating next to me managed to force open the mask compartment with a key, our masks came out, I put it on as soon as I could and started to be able to breathe normally again.

We had to do an emergency turn back to Philadelphia because the plane lost its cabin pressure and the problem was that for the people that didn’t have the masks on, it was getting very difficult to breathe and now imagine you cant breathe when you are stuck in a plane.We are just VERY LUCKY that the plane was over Boston when it happened and not in the middle of the ocean, because the pilot was able to think quick and get us back to Philadelphia to prevent a tragedy.I don’t know what was worse, the feeling of the plane going down as fast as possible because we lost cabin pressure, the fact that my oxygen mask didn’t come out or the fact that as I was seeing everyone around me breathing with their masks on, I was sitting there in a state of shock and it was getting very difficult to breathe, it was almost as if I was breathing through a sponge or a piece of cloth, the air was so thin and started giving me a chest pain.

We managed to turn back and land in Philadelphia before this would turn into a tragedy and 1 hour after we landed we were put into another flight to Amsterdam, but to be honest, that LAST thing I felt like doing at that moment was getting back into another plane.

Now I am sitting back at home writing you about the scariest experience I have ever been through on a plane, I am just happy and grateful that this didnt end up in tragedy and extremely shocked at the fact that US Airways don’t give maintenance to those planes and if it wasn’t because we managed to force open the Oxygen mask compartment, me and the people next to me wouldn’t have been able to breathe at around 37,000 feet up in the air and what shocked me the most, was that the people next to us refuse to share their oxygen with us…

EDIT: I took these 3 pictures as we were already stable and almost landing back in Philadelphia, not while the commotion was happening for those who are commenting on that.

276 thoughts on “THE WORST DAY”

Oh my gosh this must have been really scary for ANYONE. I am so thankful to God that nothing happen and you are safe and sound. God bless you, Andy. *sending a million hugs from the opposite end of the world*

I can't believe there are seriously planes out there with essential stuff like the masks coming out NOT working! I'm kinda speechless right now, also about how no one would share. I'm glad you're back in Amsterdam and that the pilot was able to prevent a tragedy from happening.

That was to be terrifying. I never hope to live it. In any case I admire the strength that you had, I shall certainly have made a heart attack. I loathe when the plane comes down(falls) just like that.I'm french,I hope that you will manage to understand me.

Omg. I'm so glad you're still writting this, I'm glad you're ok! We're all so glad everything's okai with you. Omg, I'm so sorry for you, that was probably terrible for you. It's sad to know that there are such a people like those in a plane, that's reality I guess. Again, I'm so glad you're fine. Ohh. My blog♥mfashionfreak

OMG Andy, that is totally terrible what happened to you. In such a situation I would have panicked immediately !Stay strong, you will have to take the plane in the future again, and hopefully you'll never have to live such an experience once more !Laurent – http://woodylo.frhttp://dailyfashionstyle.com

OMG! I sincerely hope you're allright!!! I wouldn't have had the courage to hop on another plane right away…!But maybe it's for the best, a shock therapy (on a plane a few hours after) so you're not too scared the next time you have to fly!!Big hugs!Ary

Andy, we love you and believe in you! Suddenly there are not so much kind and honest people in our time, so I'm sure that God will continue to protect you from this experience! Just relax with your friends and feel yourself the happiest person in the world!

Omg what an horrible expérience! I would have had an heartattack!Glad you are safe now!Ps:reading this on a flight to Paris… Not sure it was such a good idea… :-SDiary of a fashion insider…http://valentineavoh.blogspot.com

I have had a a bit similar experience myself from the flight i took from Indonesia back to England last year. It was horrible. Not quite as yours perhaps since I didn't get the oxygen masks down. I took a red eye at midnight that day but after what happened, I couldn't sleep at all all the day back! Horribly tired and terrified. lol.anyway I'm glad that nothing worse happend. :) Btw, I'm really impressed that you managed to take some pictures even in that situation! haha.

As a nervous flyer I can only imagine how terrifying that must have been. It's appalling that no one nearby would share their oxygen with you, even for a little while.I hope you are ok and recovering from your shock. I'm thinking of you.♥ http://www.blahblahbecky.co.uk

Holy shit what a scary experience! That is such a fear of mine for flying. I cant even imagine honestly it must have been so terrifying, im hoping i dont have nightmares tonight just thinking about it! Its so scary to to see the way people react in a mode of panic. I cant believe they wouldnt share a mask with you, i cant imagine watching the person beside me suffocate while i do nothing but breate in air, humanity needs to step it up!! Glad you are okay though!

It must have been horrible! All those fucking assholes without help, and then having to go on another..I think if I had been there I would have stayed panicked all the time, because I have fear of flying! I'm glad you're well and everything!!!! Hope you feel better, Andy!xxx

I'm totally shocked only by READING about it, I can't imagine how terrible must have been LIVING it.I'm so sorry you had to experience this but at the same time I'm so relieved that you are well now.A big hug from Italy.Anna

Agree U.S Airways, and United Airways are low budget airlines, they are crap. Thankfully you made it in one piece.Esas mugres aerolineas son tan tacanas que no les interesa dar mantenimiento a sus aviones. Por suerte sobreviviste ^^

Andy, dear..i was almost crying reading ur post.. that's horrible the situation u passed through.. we're so little and helpless when it comes to such things.. coz not all depends on us.. so insignificant we're.. just as a song says: we're just dust in the wind.. sorry..maybe it may sound too pathetic.. :Si wish u to pass over asap, Andy..all the best to u! u're great! Lusy

i'm leaving for paris in 2 days! Now im afraid to fly! I thought those things just didn't happen, but I guess they do……. scary! But I am glad you are safe! What would we do with out you Style Scrapbook??!!?!?!!! ;)Ta-taa for now,Ariannawww.coolgirlstyle.com

That is a very scary story. As I get older I feel like I get more and more nervous to fly. I was getting chills while reading this! I'm so glad to hear that you made it home ok and that you're well. I cannot believe that people wouldn't share their masks with you that is absolutely horrible Thank god that guy was able to get your masks down. Fashionable Collections

Holy freaking crap, I was flipping out just reading that. You poor thing! And HOW…and I mean HOW is it possible that those people could just completely ignore a person in need? I doubt there was any confusion about the situation, you guys were obviously in need of help…Things like this, or the turmoil in Libya, or so many other things, really does cast some doubt on the idea of humanity. Maybe a somewhat pretentious statement…but I really do wonder sometimes.I hope you're recovering well though, I can't imagine the trauma!Ceciliamew mew

What a nightmare- it almost doesn't seem real- like something out of a movie. So glad you weren't over the water with nowhere to go. My stomach was literally in knots while reading this. I feel nauseous now. So glad you all are safe! xx

Andy, I am so glad you made it back home.It's barely possible to imagine what you've bene through.. Lukiky, your pilote maneged to avoid your horrible flight to turning into a disaster. But this kind of situation shouldn't happen nowadays, what are they waiting for?!Last year, I almost died 4 times, by differents car/road accidents that all occured in the same week. I ain't comparing (No way!), but for me the healing recipe has been spending more time with my family.Take care and all the time you need to get back on your feet! With all my kindest regards.Laure, from Parishttp://tagadablues.over-blog.com/

Andy, I held my breath through that entire post, thank god everything went okay and you are safe…I also cannot believe that other people would not share their masks? That is beyond terrible.xoannawithlove

oh man I hope you feel better now safe at home! I live through quite similar situation. I was just flying back home from San Francisco and the plane started to loose height. it was all because of some freaking streams.it all ended up happily but I was scared as hell. the worst thing about it is helplessness. . Maybe you won't feel like flying somewhere in few weeks.But believe it's all gonna be allright Andy x

Oh my God that´s terrible waht happened. I am very glad to hear everything is OK with you and the people sitting next to you. How awful those people are to not sharing their oxygen with you. I hope they´ll feel terrible about themselves, because they should! Glad to hear your survival Andy came on the surface. Thanks to helping each other in that row, you have managed to breathe normally.I can understand you really didn´t want to get on another plane after that. Was there someone with you, or were you travelling alone? I know I would be dying to talk about it, just to level with each other about what happened. I hope someone was there to help and assist you.Please be careful, think about yourself (put yourself first) because I can understand you must have been in total shock (maybe you actually still are). Drink some tea and sleep a lot. (And stay here in the Netherland ;) )Love,Nancy

This was a terrible experience! Thank God everything turned out ok. I hope you're feeling a lot better now. I'm travelling by plane in the next days, and I'm a little scared now. Those people who were sitting near you and didn't share their masks with you, were idiots.

Oh my god, Andy. That is terrible! I hope you feel better now! First of all it must have been horrible that the flight lost its cabin pressure but then the oxygen masks did not come out is even worse! It should work and I hope the company will by extra careful to check their flights. I always fear something like that will happen to me when I am flying. I hope you will never experience something like that again.Love from Christiane.

OMG! I started getting anxiety just imagining it! I'm so glad you guys were able to open it! now I'm scared to think that those oxygen mask thingys could get stuck!I'm glad you are ok! it's crazy how selfish people get in moments of panic eek.~Pauwww.lilbitsofchic.com

I'm already scared by just reading your story! I'm glad you "survived" it! When it ever happens to me, and someone next to or near me doesn't have a mask I would definitely share mine with him/her! Take care! xo,Stella

oh my gosh, so glad that nothing has happened to you!but the ones who had masks and didn't want to share.. how can people be so selfish?!wish you the best!and I actually love flying but this really made me thoughtful..it's kind of scary that not all of the masks didn't come out in a modern plane :/

Shitty things happen every day and they really show how selfish are the people. There are really few of them who will be able to help somebody else in time like that.I'm really glad you are ok. In situation like that you really can't do anything, and that's the worst.

what a terrible story. i'm glad you made it through safely. it's awful that the oxygen masks didn't come out when they should have. i hope your story will be acknowledged, so that this doesn't have to happen again. it also shocks me that people didn't help you or others out..anyway, i'm glad you're okay. xoxo storyofstyle.blogspot.com

I am soo afraid of flying and I even can not stand 1-hour-flights!When I read your tweet about the horrible thing that you went through, I was very afraid of your next flight back home but thank God you arrived home safely.You should relax a few days, maybe go to Spa or do something to get over it. Loves,olgahttp://alittlebitofall.wordpress.com

OMG Andy. Just glad you are OK. I hate flying and that would have seriously creeped me the HELL out! I can't fly without Alex, he's flown planes before… so whenever I get scared, I just look at him or ask about this feeling or that feeling/sound on the plane, and he explains and manages to calm me down.I could only imagine your fear. Damn :( and am glad it'sover with.love,E! xx

Poor Andy ! I really feel scared for youI think the worst thing is that your row couldn't use the oxygen masks…I hope it will never happen to me, I could be traumatized for a lifetime !xxwww.coralieslooks.com – FRENCH FASHION BLOG

Wow that is so scary. Thank God you are ok! Good for you for facing your fears and getting back on the plane! I can't even imagine… but I would hope that I would share my oxygen with someone who didn't have any… they were probably in shock too… that's so terrible though.

What a terrible experience Andy :( I'm so sorry about that. I'm glad you are ok and safe at home. I have panic to fy, but I know it's the quickest and usual way to travel long distances, so I usually think about the destination and try to calm down. I don't know how could be my reaction in a situation like that but, believe me when I say…. I don't wanna know…. LOLSo sad, people didn't share their masks, these world is full of assholes.Un besín y espero que te pase el disgusto pronto Andy.

I am so glad that you're okay. Life is important to everyone and during that moment everyone became selfish. Now people who experienced it know how important it is to stand by each other during moments like this…God give them sense who did not share the mask. love ya!!

That's like my worst nightmare. I'm so glad you're safe and that nothing happened. I really hope that the people who didn't share their oxygen read this and feel guilty. It's unhuman to do such thing. Stay strong! x

That sounds very scary…But the most important thing is that everything is OK with you.I'm also shocked that people didn't want to share their masks,but I'm sure that someday they can also get in a situation,where they will need help but no one will help them.Wish you all the best,you are very brave girl!

Fortunately everything ended up well! I'm ghappy about that… About those who didn't want to share their oxygen masks i feel sorry for them, because someday it might happen with them aswell! It's sad to know that some people like that who only thinks on themselves but unfortunately the world is not perfect!About the planes, i have no words to say, cause' they only check them when something happens, but still, some companies don't even care about it and says it was a 1 out of a million issue that happened!

Jeeez so scary! I'm glad nothing happened to you. I'm flying next week and this story kinda freaks me out. (all though I did fly a couple times already) But I bet it's all gonna be okay.FarBeyondBelieving

Thank God everything turned out to be okay and you and the other people are well! I can't really say anything more I'm speechless…In extreme situations people can show their worst sides! Everyone thinks of themselves because in such a life threatening situation you (and your children if you have any) are the most important and the only person to save.Hopefully something like that won't happen again (anytime soon).

Poor girl. I wish this terrible experience soon became forgotten. And do not be angry at people who didn't share the oxygen masks, becose the survival instinct is very strong in such situations – mors tua vita mea.

Wow, that's insane! I guess it's a comfort to know that airplanes are still the safest way to travel, and these occurrences are rare. I'm just glad that all of you guys got back to land safely! It's good that one of the men next to you was smart enough to try to open the mask compartment.

OMG thank God you're ok!! I'm sure that this experience must been very difficult for you, I hope you are ok, I follow your blog, your travels etc, so I Hope you fell better right now, take carefrom a friend who lives in ChileCarla.

Oh God andy! that's horrible :(At least nothing bad happened and you are here and alive, that's the important honey ! :)The worst experience I had with flights was when a man in the seat next to me, was feeling bad because he was afraid of fly and a white liquid started going out of his mouth, and his eyes was moving like crazy. But happily he drank water and his wife made him go back to reality and nothing worse happened.. was like a scene of a movie, was horrible .. but nothing compared with what you passed :/ But yes is really horrible that no one shared the mask with you, people nowadays are really mean and selfish.. how this can happen? is a person's life that is in danger, honestly what king of people is this?Be calm and try to forget it, the worst is gone ! :)

Wow, this sounds like a really scary experience. I am glad that you are save now. It is so hard to imagine all those people with the mask on, not even thinking about sharing it with you and the others with no masks:O I would be so ashamed of myself:OI hope you get the support you need right now, to give this horrifying experiene a place. You should not go thrue this alone.

I was truly dismayed to read what had happened, but I am glad you are alright and safe at home, Andy. It’s a wonder how people continue just to selfishly think of themselves and don’t even lift a finger to help the ones next to them, even though they themselves are already safe.♥, Jamiehttp://www.TheFancyTeacup.com

I think I have hardly ever read something more horrible and scary than this post… I am shocked and sad you had to make such an experience! I still have goosebumps- Nevertheless, I am glad to hear that you're back home safe and I hope you are well! God bless you're alright! Lots of Love M.

Oh my god Andy, that sounds like the most horrible thing I have heard. I have a massive fear of flying, so I can kind of imagine how terrifying that was, I feel like crying just taking off so I really admire you for staying calm, I'm so glad you are alright and I find it sickening that people would not share their oxygenx Camillaintothefoldfashion.blogspot.com

God Andy that must have been horrible!! I'm so so sorry for you and I hope we all learn from that, one HAS to think about others as well!! Share your masks guys! Good your back home now. You're so brave!!

God Andy that must have been horrible!! I'm so so sorry for you and I hope we all learn from that, one HAS to think about others as well!! Share your masks guys! Good your back home now. You're so brave!!

Sometimes I think that if someone attacked me on the street, nobody would help me and as I hear your story… it really may happen. How did you manage to take a photograph in this situation?Scary. Hope now you feel better and safe.k.

This is terrible, everything i terrible. Who need to live inside a plane, as us, must to pay this price. Also with me 2 years ago, on a flight to Brazil, happend a terrible thing and I was afraid to take another plane… But, what could we do? Don't take flights anymore? So hard…The great is the end when we see that everything is well and we are alive!! THX GOD!

Oh my God meid!I would totally freak out omg… I have watched to many 'Aircrash Investigation'… And what a crappy plane, the mask doesn't even work properly… and sharing mask?? Like I'll breath 5 min and then it's your turn? Something like that? Geez.. I would claim back my money!Anyway most important is that you are okay and still in 1 piece!xxx

OMG OMG OMG andy i'm so glad you're feeling ok!thanks for sharing this tragic experience with us, I imagine how hard it was to feel better after all that stress and anxia and panic!i'm so shocked by those people that didn't share the maks with you, mankind it's so embarassing at times that i feel ashamed of being part of it.

this is tragic… im sorry for your experience… i fly alot and i have never had this happen to me… now im scared… so scard. you are soo lucky and im glad you shared this experience with us. you should complain to US airways ASAP. so happy you are okay!!! un besito- Andreita, from Houston, Texas.

I just can't believe this!I'm feeling very sorry for you. Can't imagine how it must have felt… Horrible!You are very lucky that nothing happened to you.And I can't believe that everybody refused to share the masks… unbelievable.

Gosh! I am so sorry that you had to go through such a horrible experience. Others were scared, too, I'm sure. I would have shared my oxygen with a stranger. I would have helped force open the compartment so that you could breathe, too.You're strong and you're brave. I'm glad you made it!Getting on another plane took a lot of strength, I know.

OMG ANDY!!!!!!!!! THANK GOD YOU'RE SAFELY LANDED AT HOME!!!!! May I know what airline did you took?? Coz I'm about to fly over to the states, and ur story kinda freak me out. Hope you're feeling much better now, and didn't get all traumatized. Remembering how many times you travel in a year. Be safe sweets! xxx

Oh my Gosh that's sounds so scary! It one of my biggest fears and you actually experienced it!And what a shame that those people didn't wanted to share their masks with you!It would be awful to lose our best blogger thanks to them, but luckily we didn't!Good luck girl:)

people next to you which didn't want to share the masks were simple assholes, nothing more. It's time for them to think, if someday they would need this mask and no one would want to share with them.I'm thankful that you're back to Amsterdam in one piece.I wish you no more situation like this one.And I wish USA to keep more attention to the planes condition…